New Zealand’s most successful track cyclist, Sam Webster, has announced his retirement aged 31 ©olympic.org.nz

New Zealand's most successful track cyclist, Sam Webster, has announced his retirement aged 31 after a career that has seen him earn 16 medals at the Olympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

From 2014 to 2018 he formed a world-leading partnership with Eddie Dawkins and Ethan Mitchell as they won three world titles, two Commmonwealth golds and an Olympic silver in the team sprint.

Webster also won the individual sprint title at the Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

He continued through to the delayed Tokyo Olympics, where he and the team could not qualify for medal rounds, commenting at the time that he had exhausted his potential.

“I have given the sport absolutely everything, every day at training and every time I went on to the track anywhere in the world,” said Webster.

“And have been rewarded with so much enjoyment and so many memories…

“I know it is time and I leave with absolutely no regrets.

With fellow New Zealanders Eddie Dawkins and Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster, who has retired aged 31, formed a combination that was the world's best in the team sprint between 2014 and 2018 ©Getty Images
With fellow New Zealanders Eddie Dawkins and Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster, who has retired aged 31, formed a combination that was the world's best in the team sprint between 2014 and 2018 ©Getty Images

“I do not know what is ahead - I will take some time to decompress, but I am really excited about exploring what future opportunities may arise in life after competition.”

Webster came to prominence when he won the sprint, team sprint and keirin gold medals at the junior World Championships in Moscow in 2009, and two medals the following year as a teenager at the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

The Kiwi trio first made their mark with a bronze in the team sprint at the 2012 world championships and in 2014 won gold in the team sprint in Cali, Colombia.

Over the four years from 2014 they won three rainbow jerseys plus a silver they took after being relegated on a technicality after winning the final.

Despite being slight in build in a discipline noted for athletes with muscle bulk, Webster was the quintessential high-performance athlete in his attitude, professionalism, planning, dedication, and aptitude.

“Sam developed to the top of world cycling on the track with his physical abilities and his extraordinary mindset both on and off the bike,” said Cycling New Zealand high performance director, Amy Taylor.

“He has been the model athlete in every sense - his approach to training, his dedication, his contribution to team and the sport.

“He has been the complete professional who has earned every plaudit that has come his way.

“This marks the end of an extraordinary time in our sport for the men’s team sprint that set new standards in this event around the world, and Sam’s decision today follows the earlier retirements of Eddie and Ethan.

“We know Sam will go on to be a success in whatever pursuit he follows, and he leaves with the deep and grateful admiration of everyone he worked and raced with.”